Charlie Thomas, who kept hits like “There Goes My Baby” and “Under the Boardwalk” alive for new generations as part of The Drifters, died Jan. 31 at his home in Bowie, Maryland. He was 85.
His friend, singer Peter Lemongello Jr., said the cause was liver cancer.
Thomas, a drifter for more than 60 years, toured with the band until the pandemic shut down the nightclub and concert circuit. Thomas, a tenor, was an integral part of the group as they released hits such as “There Goes My Baby”, “Under The Boardwalk”, “Up on the Roof” and “Saturday Night at the Movies”. . “Save The Last Dance For Me” reached No. 1 on the Billboard chart, the band’s only song to top the chart.
Thomas sang lead on “Sweets for My Sweet,” which peaked at #16 on the Hot 100 in 1961, and “When My Little Girl Is Smiling,” which peaked the following year at # 28.
As with most bands of the era, personnel changed over the decades and splinter groups claimed to be the rightful heirs of the original members. Thomas ended his career as the frontman for Charlie Thomas’ Drifters.
Thomas is survived by his wife Rita Thomas; his daughters Crystal Thomas Wilson and Victoria Green; his sons, Charlie Jr., Michael Sidbury and Brian Godfrey, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Source: Deadline
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